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What's the Acer's driver update Policy??

post #1 of 19
12/21/09 at 12:25pm
Thread Starter 
I don't understand...

I have a new Aspire 8935G with Vista 32 preinstalled.
Take audio drivers for example.

Acer update site reports Realtek audio driver version 6.0.1.5847 for my system.
If I switch to Seven 32, it reports 6.0.1.5915.
If I look for Aspire 8940G, Vista 32 (same audio hardware as mine), I see 6.0.1.5918, and, finally, 8940G Seven 32 has 6.0.1.5930.

They are all different from official Realteak drivers: they are at version 2.39 and lacks a control panel element (from Realtek...) that is present in the Acer divers, the one with the desk picture and the speakers around the room.

First question is: does Acer ever update drivers for different system or they just offer the drivers that were present in the retailed system?

Second: how comes the Realtek drivers lack the control panel component?

Tnx!
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post #2 of 19
12/21/09 at 6:42pm
I believe that Acer is like any other manufacturers in the drivers area. And that is unless there is an issue with the ones that they set up at delivery for any models, that is all users gonna see.

cheers ...
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post #3 of 19
12/22/09 at 8:59am
Thread Starter 
Well, I see Dell more active in this.

Do you know how to obtain and install updated drivers?
I can't find where to download drivers for card reader, fingerprint reader and other things and the audio drivers lacks a control panel piece.
I also have doubts on ATI video drivers: can I use the lastest official?

Tnx!
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post #4 of 19
12/22/09 at 8:04pm
You can try direct with Realtek and AMD-ATI for latest drivers. Nothing would prevent you from using the updates from them.

cheers ...
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post #5 of 19
12/23/09 at 2:25am
I must once again ask the general question I ask myself more often than I care to. Do people understand what drivers do? They are not faster mhz or larger storage. They as qhn said unless known issue the MFG unlikely to release update. As such what is this great benefit many feel they will get? Because if it ain't broke ho can you fix it and why would you try. This is even more true for notebooks as more designed from the ground up than desktop systems.

Mindless driver updating is in my opinion "mindless". Just my thoughts.
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post #6 of 19
12/23/09 at 6:57am
Thread Starter 
Even if not all software producers create release notes, in many drivers updates you'll find bug fixed, so why would you keep your bugged driver?

Moreover, they can increase performance or add functionalities.

As I said it would be GREAT to have complete release notes for each release.
I have a Dell laptop too and they drivers update always say if they're for bug fixing, better performance or just support for newest hardware. I don't upgrade in this last case, of course.

This is just MY "mind" in driver updating.
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post #7 of 19
12/23/09 at 9:19am
yes, I understand if a person is having a particular problem with video or sound on his laptop, but if no problems exists, why the need to search for driver updates
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post #8 of 19
12/23/09 at 11:25am
Thread Starter 
Well, I HAVE issues with my new Acer, indeed.
Just to mention:
- the card reader does not read my xD H-Type card: could a driver update fix this?
- sometimes, when I plug a stereo headphone, the system somehow does not switch to stereo and I don't ear anything from the central channel in the headphones (voice mainly); a case for a driver update? Or is the game buggy?
- I have to try 3 or 4 time to make it accept my fingerprint: a driver issue?
I could keep on listing...

I think that unless a new driver declares only compatibility with new hardware, it is worth an update.
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post #9 of 19
5/12/10 at 4:26pm
did you ever find a good place to get your errors corrected? i am having same issues
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post #10 of 19
5/13/10 at 3:45am
Thread Starter 
Try selecting an Acer model more recent but similar to yours: I have an 8935 and 8943 is latest in the family.

You'll find new drivers, but compare the hardware manufaturer!!

And keep the old ones for backup.
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post #11 of 19
5/13/10 at 8:05am
Quote:
- the card reader does not read my xD H-Type card: could a driver update fix this?
No, it is usually a hardware issue... A lot of older card readers fail to see high density cards... I use an XD adaptor for my olympus camera which takes micro SD cards.. Then use a micro SD USB adaptor to PC...

Quote:
- sometimes, when I plug a stereo headphone, the system somehow does not switch to stereo and I don't ear anything from the central channel in the headphones (voice mainly); a case for a driver update? Or is the game buggy?
This is usually a sound driver issue...

Quote:
- I have to try 3 or 4 time to make it accept my fingerprint: a driver issue?
No, a common issue with ALL fingerprint readers - slow and patient is the name of the game... It can become an issue when M$ updates IE which all fingerprint readers seem intrinsically tied to...

In all cases though, check M$ updates for newer drivers (apart from ATI or nVidia)...
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post #12 of 19
5/14/10 at 3:21am
Thread Starter 
Mm, not sure: where should I check M$ for newer drivers? Even for sound and other things?
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post #13 of 19
5/14/10 at 4:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pdario View Post
Mm, not sure: where should I check M$ for newer drivers? Even for sound and other things?
Either do a windows update, or go to Device Manager, right click on the device you want updating and go into properties and update the driver from there (make sure you are online)...
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post #14 of 19
6/2/10 at 10:37pm
i also have this issue,how to solve it .
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post #15 of 19
6/3/10 at 4:29am
Did you try what Mr T suggested above?

cheers ...
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post #16 of 19
6/14/10 at 3:50am
Thread Starter 
MS Win Update does not find any significant Update.
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post #17 of 19
6/14/10 at 4:43am
Then it is likely that you have the appropriate drivers that facilitate the working of your notebook. MS usually puts up driver updates if they get them from the notebook manufacturers themselves.

Unless that you have some specific issues and unless Acer offers new drivers for your model, I would normally not bother chasing after each and new driver out there.

cheers ...
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post #18 of 19
6/14/10 at 9:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by qhn View Post

Unless that you have some specific issues and unless Acer offers new drivers for your model, I would normally not bother chasing after each and new driver out there.

cheers ...
I concur!
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post #19 of 19
6/14/10 at 2:30pm
That goes along with BIOS updates too..Unless you are having specific problems covered by the BIOS update, leave it alone...nothing can turn your functioning laptop into a 6 lb doorstop faster than a screwedup BIOS upgrade or attemp
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